Branches Humboldt

Stop #3 on our ROADMAP is "fasting", a practice and exercise where we're invited to take a thoughtful break from something (like a meal, social media, work, TV, shopping, etc...), so we can connect with God in a clear, unobstructed way. The Bible's examples center around taking a break from food for spiritual purposes, so we'll dive into that in detail and find out that the m...

If there was a map, a path to travel, that led you to the good life - a place of peace, emotional and spiritual health, and growth - would you take it? In this new message series Road Map, we explore exactly what practices and habits make the most difference in our lives. Last week we looked at the Bible and how to engage with it in a way that not only informs us, but forms us - and this Sunday we...

Every great summer adventure requires a good map to the best spots and most beautiful vistas... If there was a "map", a path to travel, that led you to the good life - a place of peace, emotional and spiritual health, and growth - would you take it? In this new message series, we explore exactly what practices and habits make the most difference in our lives. What can we do that really c...

The grand scopeof life... the ultimate "road trip" you might say... It's difficult to get a perspective on the entirety of our lives at a sweeping glance, from beginning to end, the journey of a lifetime. Could it be that God has a plan in mind for our lives all along? Could it be that He sees it all, and is determined to be with us through it all? Psalm 23, one of the most famous so...

Some of the best songs are sad songs… why? "For me, singing sad songs often has a way of healing a situation. It gets the hurt out in the open into the light, out of the darkness." (Reba McEntire) But we’re not very good at lament in our time and culture. There are no highs and lows…just a prosaic ‘middle’, stoic, calm, and collected… Maybe if we’re not doing “good”, there must be someth...

Truth has the power to completely change our connection with God. It makes all the difference. Being truthful with God and others, doesn't hurt relationships - it strengthens them! Confession has the ability to bring us closer to God, because He already knows everything about us. St. Augustine prayed, “In failing to confess, Lord, I would only hide You from myself, not myself from You.” This S...

Have you ever felt... that you were beyond reach and maybe just too messed up for God to RESTORE? God thinks different about you! Have you ever felt that you needed to do the right things to be made RIGHT with God, jump through the hoops, be "good enough"? Jesus came to make you right instead! Have you ever felt in your life that RESCUE would be out of reach, that no one could help you,...

We had the incredible privilege of a visit from Jeff Woodke. He's the captured missionary we prayed for on Sunday, March 19. After almost 7 years of captivity, he was released the next morning! What an incredible faith-building experience for all of us, and this Sunday, we got to hear from him and pray for his continued health and strength. We also consider how the Psalms; God's songs in t...

Pastor Justin's dad, a retired professor from Cal Poly Humboldt and father of five grown boys, shares his reflections and encouragements. Our laughter lifted our hearts, and the reminder that God is here to help us in the toughest of times inspired us all!

To be deeply known - and fully loved. Is it even possible? We often act as if it’s one or the other; We hide and cover because we think if people really knew us, they’d think less of us - they wouldn't like us as much. We put our best foot forward in order to impress others. Or, we decide to just completely be ourselves, and if people don’t like it, well…you know, who cares - screw ‘em anyway!...

We're kicking off the summer at Branches with a collection of songs in the Bible called "Psalms". These are songs inspired by God Himself, and they reveal a lot about who He is, who we are, and how He's intended for us to experience life. They're full of wisdom, celebration, grief, love, and despair. They're honest, messy, and real, and they have the ability to shape us i...

Isn’t it interesting to go back in history and discover the origins of things? These firsts help us understand and uncover the original meaning or purpose of a thing; Why was it invented? Why did it start? What was the motivation? What empowered it in the first place? How about the first church ever? Why did it start? Who started it? How did they do it? Thousands of believers, around the world, ma...

If you've ever felt exhausted from caring for those around you, or felt like giving up, or even unqualified to help others for whatever reason, you are not alone. This coming Sunday is Mother's Day, and it's an opportunity to recognize all women who care, love, and serve others. It's an inspiration for all of us to consider those in our lives who we're called to serve and nurtu...

What is the meaning of life?   Isn't that the question so many of us wonder about?  What on earth are we here for, anyway?  This Sunday, guest-speaker Tim Celek looks at the last speech of Jesus, His final, parting words before He ascends into heaven. This charge of Jesus contains a command and a promise. It contains instructions for a life of meaning and purpose. It sums up our mission as a c...

Every Sunday is, in a way, a “Mini-Easter” here at Branches; a celebration of what Jesus has done for us. But, we know that there are many problems and challenges in life that we face, and one difficult emotion that has left its mark on all of us is fear. There are so many fears out there, and the list seems to be growing every day. Some say we're currently living in the “Age of Terror."...

"I have one last thing to say to you..." Isn't there something about that statement that makes you want to lean in and listen? Death bed confessionals and Last Will & Testaments grab our attention, don't they? Bob Marley's last words words were "Money can't buy life." Deep stuff. There's something about the ending of things that brings an intensity of fo...

Our Easter morning message and Ivy Gordon sharing her faith-story!

Why is Good Friday "good"? Hear Steve Taylor and Monica Hicks unpack these truths in a passionate way (*with a live rendition of "How Deep the Father's Love")!

We wrap up our 5-week series this Sunday with a time to reflect on what we've learned and what God is showing us. As we "Remember & Celebrate", we get to hear from members of our community as they share their reflections. As you ponder these values of Jesus; His "welcome", His "freedom", His "faith", His "care", and His "leadership&quo...

Who was your most favorite leader you've ever had? What were they like? What about them inspired you? Did you know that YOU'RE a leader, too? John Maxwell says, "Everyone is a leader because everyone influences someone." We wrap up our series on the five values of Jesus that shape who we want to be as a church family this Sunday, and our last topic is the LEADERSHIP OF JESUS. Jes...

Our series continues on the five values of Jesus that shape who we want to be as a church family, and this Sunday we look at the CARE OF JESUS. Jesus served and cared for others with loving compassion, and we want to be a community just like that! Jesus' care for others was boundless, inexhaustible. It was practical; He saw the whole person and met tangible needs. And His care, ultimately, is...

Is there something BIG in your life that you need to trust God with in a new way? In this new series; the five values of Jesus that shape who we want to be as a church family, we've looked at the WELCOME of Jesus and the FREEDOM of Jesus. This Sunday, we turn our attention to the FAITH OF JESUS, displayed in Matthew 8:5-13. Jesus encouraged faith, rewarded faith, and lived by faith, and we want to...

Freedom!! We all long for it, but what's it all about, and how do you experience it? The FREEDOM OF JESUS is what we're looking at this Sunday at Branches. Jesus modeled and lived out a freedom that transformed those around Him, and we want to be a community that embodies that value; a freedom to be, to live, to serve, to love radically. Once again, Jesus leads the way, and following Him is n...

Our new series kicks off this Sunday, and we can't wait to examine the five values of Jesus that give shape to what Branches is all about! In these next five weeks, you'll learn firsthand where our vision for the church comes from, and how we seek to follow Jesus' example. We'll find that much of what He does is (no surprise) controversial and challenging but ultimately leads to a life with God be...

This Sunday, we pause at the end of our series "Start with Jesus" to reflect on what God is showing us and what He's saying to us. We hear from three people in our community, as they share their reflections and thoughts. How awesome it is to know that God has a unique journey He's leading each of us on!